As I complete research for my writing, I will post summaries here of topics I find interesting or significant. With a general focus on Irish history, they will cover historical sites across Ireland, ancient history topics (e.g. types of tombs or customs), and recent archaeological research.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact via my contact page here. For more of my regular content see my Twitter feed. I try to regularly post about Irish history as well as my writing.
“Understanding ancient Ireland is not about learning facts or theories, but about understanding who we are today. The myths and legends of ancient Ireland challenge our myths and legends of today – the things we take for granted – providing us with a whole new perspective on who we are and where we’ve come from.”
Recent Posts
- Nendrum Monastery: An Ancient Christian site of InnovationThere’s something innately appealing about becoming self-sufficient; the freedom from punitive bills, the satisfaction of eating your own produce, the knowledge and skills developed to survive, or the innovations you conjure up to overcome seemingly impossible tasks. It’s both a… Read more: Nendrum Monastery: An Ancient Christian site of Innovation
- Ballyaghagan Cashel: An Ancient Stronghold in the Belfast HillsNestled in the Belfast Hills, overlooking the city beneath, lies Ballyaghagan Cashel, the remains of what was once an early medieval Cashel with evidence of settlement dating back at least as far as 3,500 years. Standing atop site today, you… Read more: Ballyaghagan Cashel: An Ancient Stronghold in the Belfast Hills
- Dunluce Castle: The lost town of the ‘Strong Fort’Perched precariously on a basalt outcrop, battered by the relentless waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce Castle is one of Ireland’s most breathtaking medieval ruins. Located on the north coast of County Antrim, this dramatic stronghold has witnessed centuries of… Read more: Dunluce Castle: The lost town of the ‘Strong Fort’
- Corrstown Portrush: The Hidden Bronze Age VillageThe seaside town of Portrush, off the North coast of Northern Ireland, has become well known for its world famous golf, beautiful beaches, surfing, and fantastic restaurants – not for its ancient history. But a groundbreaking discovery in 2002 revealed… Read more: Corrstown Portrush: The Hidden Bronze Age Village
- Writing in Iron Age Ireland – Irish OghamWritten language is something we all take for granted. Even as I write, I can’t help but see the irony in my reliance on such a medium to communicate with you the reader. By putting into words what I am… Read more: Writing in Iron Age Ireland – Irish Ogham
- Dun Aonghasa – Ancient maritime hub of the WestThere are few more exhilarating sites that standing on Ireland’s west coast and staring out across the seemingly endless ocean before you. The chill breeze, pungent smell of kelp, cawing of gulls, and sound of crashing waves. It’s a scene… Read more: Dun Aonghasa – Ancient maritime hub of the West
All Irish History Posts
- Nendrum Monastery: An Ancient Christian site of Innovation
- Ballyaghagan Cashel: An Ancient Stronghold in the Belfast Hills
- Dunluce Castle: The lost town of the ‘Strong Fort’
- Corrstown Portrush: The Hidden Bronze Age Village
- Writing in Iron Age Ireland – Irish Ogham
- Dun Aonghasa – Ancient maritime hub of the West
- Ancient Rock of Cashel – A fortified myth
- Metal Resources in Iron Age Ireland
- Highways of Ancient Ireland
- Gods of Ireland: The Tuatha De Dannan
- Fashion in Iron Age Ireland
- Dunseverick Castle – Ulster’s hidden treasure
- Dún Ailinne – Knockaulin
- Irish Hillforts – Grounding History
- The Purpose of Irish Hillforts
- Rathcroghan: Ireland’s ancient metropolis
- Mount Sandel: Ireland’s ancient beginnings
- Newgrange – the prehistoric whodunnit
- Fort Navan: Ulster’s Ancient Capital
- The Giant’s Ring: Belfast’s Neolithic Roots
- The Hill of Tara: Ireland’s Historical Scar
- Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
Book Reviews
- Book Review: Ireland’s Animals, Niall Mac Coitir
- Book Review: A smaller social history of ancient Ireland, P.W. Joyce
- Book Review: The Celts, Barry Cunliffe
- Book Review: Ancient Ireland, Laurence Flanagan
- Book Review: The Oldest Irish Tradition, Kenneth Jackson
Further Resources
My research draws on a mix of academic research, archaeological reports, primary source material, and site visits. But the world of ancient Irish history is much bigger than I could ever hope to cover. So for those who want to delve deeper, please see these top 5 resources I’d recommend:
1. Irish History Online
A continuously updated electronic bibliography hosted by the Royal Irish Academy, providing detailed references to publications on Irish history, making it an invaluable research tool.
2. FutureLearn – Irish History Courses
In collaboration with leading universities, FutureLearn offers free online courses that explore key events from early settlements to modern times, allowing learners to analyze historical events from diverse perspectives.
3. The Brehon Academy
Dedicated to reviving and teaching ancient Irish culture and society, this platform offers courses on early Irish law, culture, and societal structures, providing a deep dive into Ireland’s historical legal systems.
4. Corpus of Electronic Texts (CELT)
Hosted by University College Cork, CELT is an online database of contemporary and historical documents related to Irish history and culture, providing access to a wealth of primary sources.
5. Digital Medievalist – Learning Old Irish
For those interested in the linguistic aspects of ancient Irish history, this resource offers guidance on learning Old Irish, including recommended dictionaries and texts.